Climbing Mt. Lassen

Climbing Mt. Lassen - A Personal  Experience

Note: Lassen Peak is commonly referred to as Mt. Lassen among climbers.


Starting my hike at 8,500 feet in elevation at the Summit parking lot, (7 miles from SW. entrance, 22 miles from N. entrance) I only had about 2,000 feet uphill to hike until reaching the cratered summit of Lassen Peak at 3,187 Meters (10,457 Feet). The round trip distance is about 5 miles with a steady uphill grade of about 15%. During the winter, Lassen Park is well-known for having snow depths in excess of 50 feet and that was evident from the large snow patches that still covered the trail in late July. The trail to the top of the mountain is maintained by the Park rangers and it’s comparable to a well established backpacking trail. The weather was warm and I was dressed in shorts and having no need for crampons or an ice axe, I just took 2 quarts of water with me to reach the summit.

At about 9,000 feet, I was still amongst the dwarf White Bark pines and the nodding Hemlocks. With a nice cool breeze in the air, I could see Warner Valley as it sits in a landscape of pine and fir forests. Further to the south was Lake Almanor, a popular boating and fishing paradise for the outdoor enthusiast. Above 9,000 feet, the trail became zigzagged and I climbed steadily in elevation. With several view points along the way and the many visitor’s placards which provided historical information about Lassen Peak and the surrounding area, I found myself not stopping for air but stopping to marvel over the views as I kept climbing in elevation.

With timberline ending at about 9,500, and the trail heading upward to the south, the smell of the wildflowers was overtaken by the strong winds that blew across the slopes of the mountain. When the trail zigzagged back to the north, I was once again warmed by the sun, only this time I could smell the dirt and volcanic rock which reminded me that I was climbing to the top of a volcano and not just an ordinary mountain. There is a snowpatch along the edge of the north slope that you must cross, an ice axe or crampons are not needed, but it is a thrilling moment for some to cross on the path through the well packed snow. It’s a good idea to bring a jacket as this part of the hike can get cold and windy.

The north side views offered me a glimpse, from high above, of the many lakes in the park, the spectacular formation of the Chaos Crags, and the evident destruction that occurred in the "Devastated Area" during the last eruptions and mudslides. Views to the south showed me Mt. Diller and Brokeoff Mountain and after careful observation it was clear to me how Lassen, possibly the world’s largest plugdome, was formed on the flanks of ancestral Mt. Tehama.

Lassen Park is only open for a few months during the summer because of the heavy winter snowfall but once it’s opened, people head for the many nature trails and the vibrant souls face the challenge of reaching the summit. Once I ascended the summit, it looked as though a tour bus had just dropped off bus load of people. On a summer weekend, while climbing Mt. Shasta, you may see up to 200 people attempting to summit, while Lassen is relatively quiet with perhaps 30-50 people climbing her slopes. Many people enjoy the satisfaction of reaching the summit of Lassen and I am now one of them.

The summit consists of three craters created during the last eruptions and off to the south end of the summit is a rock pinnacle which marks the true summit of the mountain. With just a couple of hundred feet to go and scurrying over a boulder patch, I had finally reached the summit of Mt. Lassen. The remains of what looked like an old metal survey marker was there to greet me and the several others I climbed with. It takes on the average about 2 hours to climb Lassen from the trailhead and it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. People of all ages, from young children to great-grandparents, took their time along the well defined trail, stopping frequently to admire the panoramic views. Park Rangers offer guided hikes to the summit with historical information provided at the top. You can learn about the 1914-1915 eruptions and explore the craters on one of these naturalist "crater hikes." It is recommended to bring water, windbreaker, hat, and sunscreen and wear sturdy hiking shoes or boots. Check for their schedule of naturalist hikes or enjoy the solitude of your own exploration of one of the most fascinating geological areas in the Cascade Range..